What do your business cards look like?

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #10440935
So use Moo to print your cards, have you ever seen their stuff? You can choose up to 50 of your photographs, maybe more, and they will print them on 50, 100, 200 cards, so you can have say 10 of each "genre" of your photography. Hand the motorcycle guy a motorcycle card, hand the wedding person a wedding card, hand the kid portrait person a kid card, etc...

You should check out their site, look up Moo printing.

He understands that. Doesn't answer his question.

A general card for general public should have your logo and contact on one side, and a photo on the other side that best represents your work.

JoePhotoOnline wrote in post #10441024
He understands that. Doesn't answer his question.

A general card for general public should have your logo and contact on one side, and a photo on the other side that best represents your work.

Ok, sorry I misread his post. I see what he's asking now. But even if Joe Schmoe comes up and asks for a card, he's got some kind of photography in mind, and if you talk to Joe and ask him what he's needing, you should have a card that covers that. If you have decided to go with using multiple examples of your photography as one side of your card, like some have done.
But Joe Schmoe and others should have something specific in mind they want you to shoot? Just have to ask them. And if you are the type that shoots anything and everything then maybe this style of card ins't for you, as you might have way too many options to print on one side of a card? So then it becomes important to just design a good card.

And again, I don't have a problem with SOME business cards that use photography icons or graphics, if done well, but thats the key, a lot of what we're seeing on here aren't done well. If you think that your card has to have something photography graphic related for general purpose, and are hell bent about using it, it just has to be designed well, thats my only issue. I've seen many of the successful photographers business cards, without a photography related graphic on them, that are just designed well and work.

In the end, a business card is just one facet of your branding and marketing.

i hesitate to post during such a debate, however i am an example of designing and using a card for a very specific recipient in mind because i am not a professional seeking business. i had mini-moo cards made for when i am out with my camera and field suspicious questions as to what and why i'm photographing and where they end up.

the cards are small so as not to be confused with a professional, and yes, i have my silly photo with a camera so they can see that i am accountable and accessible. i do not have a domain, i do not need one at this point. the entire card is very deliberate to distinguish myself from any pretense that i am a professional, business-seeking photographer yet still (hopefully) portraying me as sincere and easy-going but serious as photographer enthusiast/hobbyist.

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Just finished these, excited to get them from Taste of Ink

where do you get cards with transparent gloss?

Sam, they should look nice. Great site to help people understand what they can achieve with there business cards. Might try them out for a run, but I am still fighting with my card.

m.bail wrote in post #10443097
i hesitate to post during such a debate, however i am an example of designing and using a card for a very specific recipient in mind because i am not a professional seeking business. i had mini-moo cards made for when i am out with my camera and field suspicious questions as to what and why i'm photographing and where they end up.

the cards are small so as not to be confused with a professional, and yes, i have my silly photo with a camera so they can see that i am accountable and accessible. i do not have a domain, i do not need one at this point. the entire card is very deliberate to distinguish myself from any pretense that i am a professional, business-seeking photographer yet still (hopefully) portraying me as sincere and easy-going but serious as photographer enthusiast/hobbyist.

Marlene, your mini's are perfect...nice work. I don't even mind your picture of you with the camera, it fits the style and card.

m.bail wrote in post #10443097
the cards are small so as not to be confused with a professional, and yes, i have my silly photo with a camera so they can see that i am accountable and accessible. i do not have a domain, i do not need one at this point. the entire card is very deliberate to distinguish myself from any pretense that i am a professional, business-seeking photographer yet still (hopefully) portraying me as sincere and easy-going but serious as photographer enthusiast/hobbyist.

I have to admit, I don't understand this reasoning. I have never associated the size of the card with relative status.

On the flip side, I like your picture on there. I can see enough of your face that it makes it relevant. I agree, it does put YOU out there as accessible.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #10467292
Marlene, your mini's are perfect...nice work. I don't even mind your picture of you with the camera, it fits the style and card.

thanks! i put alot of thought into them.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #10467460
I have to admit, I don't understand this reasoning. I have never associated the size of the card with relative status.

when you see a 2"x3.5" card stock it's in our nature to assume that it's a business card, which is not the message i want to send.
i also don't want people to start asking me to shoot events, which is not where my interests lie at this point.

Finally got my cards... but what a horrible pic! I have to make a better one...

m.bail wrote in post #10468137
thanks! i put alot of thought into them.

when you see a 2"x3.5" card stock it's in our nature to assume that it's a business card, which is not the message i want to send.
i also don't want people to start asking me to shoot events, which is not where my interests lie at this point.

But why are you trying so hard to keep yourself from looking professional?

If you charge money, then you are a pro *point of view of some". If you dont charge money then why advertise to others.

m.bail wrote in post #10468137
when you see a 2"x3.5" card stock it's in our nature to assume that it's a business card, which is not the message i want to send.

So what happens if you advertise on a billboard? I don't get the size/quality relationship.

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10468248
Finally got my cards... but what a horrible pic! I have to make a better one...

I like 'em, but others aren't going to like the aperture blades

mickeyjuice wrote in post #10468319
I like 'em, but others aren't going to like the aperture blades

Hahaha, I know! Thanks!

I don't like the fact that they are used WAY TOO MUCH, but I like the design... and besides, they're not that common down here where I'm from. And to make things better, I haven't met a single client who knows what the logo is and what does it mean... let alone know that they are used by 60% of photogs around the world. Luckily, they just like the logo... and clients = money!

NicolasRubio wrote in post #10468356
Hahaha, I know! Thanks!

I don't like the fact that they are used WAY TOO MUCH, but I like the design... and besides, they're not that common down here where I'm from. And to make things better, I haven't met a single client who knows what the logo is and what does it mean... let alone know that they are used by 60% of photogs around the world. Luckily, they just like the logo... and clients = money!

Yep, as photographers we live in our bubbles and obsess WAY too much over stuff others never even notice.

You have to wonder how Shell sells petrol - after all, their symbol is a shell!

msfvirginia wrote in post #10468251
But why are you trying so hard to keep yourself from looking professional? If you charge money, then you are a pro *point of view of some". If you dont charge money then why advertise to others.

mickeyjuice wrote in post #10468319
So what happens if you advertise on a billboard? I don't get the size/quality relationship.

this is explained in my original post. i don't charge money or photograph for other people; i do this to practice and explore and have fun. i do not proactively hand the cards to strangers, i give them to explain and represent myself and my actions when questioned.